DeWitt Cooper lll is the co-founder and creative director of CooperMorgan Dance Theatre, Inc. With a passion for dance, quality, and enrichment he has helped to build onto Jacksonville's dance community through mentoring young dancers not only in their craft but in their educational pursuits. Cooper's long love for dance has grown to be stepping stones to success for others.

CooperMorgan has high expectations for their students and in exchange for being CM quality they provide professional training, guidance, and students leave their experience with CM fulfilled, experienced, and reaching their goals. CM seeks to not only be an example for their students but to the entire arts community through acknowledging leaders and nurturing future leaders.​If you ever meet Cooper you'll automatically notice his poise almost as if he is always in dance mode! It's easy to imagine that dance is always on his mind which makes for a valuable mentor. His love for the entire art community and his success in building a dance company is inspiring! His dedication to his craft and it's future in our local community leaves no room for failure. I can't wait to see what CooperMorgan Dance Theatre has in store for Jacksonville's dance community and to watch his young mentees lead locally and beyond!

How did the partnership with Savery Morgan grow into starting a dance theater together? What qualities do you each bring?

The partnership between Morgan and I began in 2005. Morgan and I were introduced to one another by the Director of Dance for the Lavilla department band, subsequently Michelle Ottley Fisher was a mentor to the two of us yet we had never met despite having conversations about each other via Fisher. The same day we met, we ended up team teaching a dance class and afterwards we ended up running into each other while out after class. By the end of the evening a brotherhood had formed and the partnership was inevitable so we decided that evening to begin Cooper and Morgan. Today, the organization is referred to as one name and that is CooperMorgan Dance Theatre, Inc.

When did you find your love for dance and what inspires you to continue and to mentor?

Many things made me fall in love with dance as a young child from dancing to VH1 and MTV music videos to an old 80’s dance movie called “Fast Forward “ produced by Sidney Poitier that I still own to this day. Today, what inspires me to continue mentoring young female and male dancers is their energy and spirit. I challenge my students to be their best and the most exciting thing for me to witness is them achieving their dreams despite their personal obstacles.

What has been your biggest challenge in this role and what have you learned?

The biggest challenge I have had in this role is realizing that not every child wants to be saved and as much as I would like for that to be different, it doesn’t always work the way I would like it to. Sometimes we have to loosen our grip and hope that the "mentees" will want and work for whatever they are after just as much as we want it for them.

Besides talent, what other qualities do you seek in "mentees" who are looking to be apart of Cooper & Morgan’s audition or invitation only program?

The CooperMorgan mentoring team CMsquared not only looks for strong talent but we also look at the promises and commitments the students have in other areas. Knowing their other commitments gives us an insight to their possible commitment or lack of commitment to our program. We look for honest desire and drive from our students. We take the time to interview the student and their parents which allows us to get to know not only the student but their immediate support.

As CM grows, do you all wish to add locations outside of Jacksonville? If so, where?

Currently our home base is in Jacksonville but we have already expanded to Tallahassee with our CooperMorgan Reach Program which is a two week summer dance intensive that takes place at Tallahassee Community College and is directed by Aurora Hansen. As CM mentoring grows we will eventually expand our vision to other cities.

How do you define success in what you do?

For me defining success is actively dreaming, putting in the work, and seeing it manifest. Success is constantly discovering aspects of your calling and not ignoring it no matter how difficult it gets. Success is being present!

What would you like to see happen in Jacksonville’s dance community?

I would love to see the dance community acknowledged just as much as our music community. Everything in the music community is acknowledged and has a large presence from singing to the symphony. Dance has a place in the city of Jacksonville! I would love to see dance organizations support one another. I'd also like to see that there's a professional dance company by us that has existed in Jacksonville for 14 years and does work of substance with sustainable value and that company is CooperMorgan Dance Theatre, Inc . We as a company not only nurture and teach young artists about the business but we are a company that honors unsung heroes in Jacksonville's arts community with our annual CooperMorgan Hall of Fame.

Photo by Michael Erdeyli

To learn more about CooperMorgan Dance Theatre and learn more about their events and programs please visit them at CooperMorganDance.com

Giandra Shepardis the owner of Studio Zsa Zsa Lapree located in downtown Jacksonville. With the mission of acceptance and advocacy for black artists, the vibrant colored Studio Zsa Zsa Lapree hosts monthly shows featuring new artists and other creative experiences. Giandra strives for her venue to serve the community and to be a place for artists who may feel overlooked to introduce their art to the community. In the heart of downtown, Giandra has turned her little corner of Bay Street into a lively environment to celebrate black artistry.

I'm always in awe of black women representing the arts through curating, advocacy, and creating spaces. Though the art market has grown to be more inclusive, it still lacks the representation of curators and gallery owners of color. To meet a peer building a platform with similar interests is exciting and I look forward to seeing her gallery grow and talents mature.

In 2009, I knew I wanted my own business but I wasn't sure what type of business I should start. In 2014 I saw the space that now houses Zsa Zsa Lapree and knew I had to have it. Several ideas came to mind like a boutique, a bakery, and other businesses many things I love. Like an epiphany, in 2016, it just came to me that I should create a space to support and celebrate black artists so I decided I would have an art gallery. I had always been an art lover and collector. Guest would often come to my apartment and try to purchase the art from my walls. There were times I would post a selfie on social media and later receive an inbox about the art work that was noticeable in the back of the picture. So I decided I would give an Art Gallery a try. I called the landlord and told him my idea and received the keys to the building the next week.

What Inspired the name for your gallery?

The name Studio Zsa Zsa Lapree was inspired by an African child I met in 2010 whose first name and last name were both Zsa. I immediately fell in love with Zsa Zsa's name and said when I have a daughter that I would name her Zsa Zsa. Unfortunately, I later lost a child so the gallery's name was inspired by love and fear. Through a love for the name and a fear that Zsa Zsa may never exist, I decided to create her in a different way. I believe naming the gallery in this way was my own form of artistic expression. A lot of people think that the name was inspired from Zsa Zsa Gabor and although I like Gabor that is not the case. The name Zsa Zsa is actually very sentimental to me.

What do you believe is a role of an artist and what roles can we learned from them

All artists of all mediums are different. Their roles are subjective and highly personal. I believe that an artist's role is whatever they want it to be. We can learn from them the thoughts and feelings that we can't effectively articulate but you receive through the Artist creations, poetry, music , dance etc.

What has been your biggest challenge in this role and what have you learned ?

My biggest challenge is that sometimes I'm so low on energy that I can not curate all the shows that I have ideas for. I learned that Zsa Zsa Lapree was greatly needed in our community because there are so many dope black creators in the community that I feel have been ignored by other art galleries and artists.

How do you choose Artist for your shows

Every time I have an art show, I receive a lot of messages from new and emerging artists that want to become apart of the art community. Often, my shows are filled and I have to turn artists down. I always feel bad when I can't accommodate an artist so I create another show for those few artists. I don't really choose artist for my shows, they choose me.

What are your ambitious for the future of Zsa Zsa Lapree.

In the future I would like to put a Studio Zsa Zsa Lapree on the Northside of Jacksonville and make it an art gallery and book store.

If you could move Zsa Zsa Lapree anywhere in the world, where would it be?

If I could move Studio Zsa Zsa Lapree anywhere in the world, it would be a big city like San Francisco or New York. I think it would definitely be New York!

Rolando Kallead is a visual and performance artist whose visual art is just as lively as his performance art. Donning the name Moxie Mopp, he entertains as a drag performer at Metro Entertainment Complex, and as a visual artist, Rolando lets the paintbrush dance across canvas to create offbeat individuals and abstract artworks. He often creates sketches mirroring the quirky style of his paintings. Rolando finds himself utilizing his artistic skills to develop interesting and eclectic personas, wardrobes, and scenery for Moxie Mopp to embody. Taking pride in both of his mediums, he makes it a priority to ensure they are both represented properly and that it is known that he is more than one type of artist.

How many people are really living their truth? Whatever that number may be, there is no question that Rolando is one of them. I met Rolando in 2017 and immediately learned of both of his mediums even though his physical, visual art is what captured my eye when meeting him with his art besties Gabriela Corley and Perla Reyes. A glimpse at his social media shows you into his world of amazing transformations, art, craftsmanship, and a variety of personalities he is able to portray. What I find most impressive is that he is able to flawlessly navigate between both mediums creating passionate performances and striking, large scale paintings.

On August 31st, there's a chance to see Rolando's character at work as he preforms atMetro Entertainment Complex in a show centered around popular teen movies. Rolando also looks forward to more art opportunities and shows showcasing both of his talents.

Describe your art in 5 words

My art is: colorful, stupid, surreal, referential, and evolving.

What inspires your style and characters? Does your performing art and visual art influence each other?

The inspiration behind my character Moxie Mopp, changes from look to look. I love 60’s-90’s fashion references with modern alterations and tons of color! I do my best to convey a story or concept through cohesive song choices and looks that are easily grasped by my audience. Like my physical art, every choice is made for a reason. My physical art also plays directly into my performance art; I have a number of performance pieces that incorporate my drawings, sketchbook paper, color choices, and so on. My whole aesthetic is based around being a colorful ball of energy! My performance and physical art ALWAYS inspire each other!

Is there an element of art you enjoy working with most? Why?

I really enjoy the preparation both of my mediums require. For my physical art, I enjoy building and stretching my own canvases, mixing paint, laying paint down, and even covering it up! On the other hand with my performance art, I take pleasure in sewing my own outfits, styling wigs, and creating props. I take time to make my works and performances thought out and memorable. There's so much that goes into each creation that I’d be crazy if I did not love the process because it takes a lot of dedication and time!

Where do you get ideas for your performance art?

Honestly, any and everything can inspire me! Most of the time I reference things in my boy life or things that are happening in the world. Sometimes, I build ideas around shapes and silhouettes that I want to portray or even just color combinations. Currently, I’m really inspired by fancy goldfish. I range from performances with silly songs like Crazy Frogs’- Axel F where I pretend I’m on an invisible bike and jump around the bar to serious topics like inner turmoil, sex worker rights, and relationship issues. My pieces are always on extreme ends of the spectrum.

Among your works, which ones are your favorite? Why?

My favorite drag piece that I’ve done is when I portrayed a character named Caprice from the John Waters film “A Dirty Shame”. Performing as Caprice was the most grotesque, but, also the most glamorous I’ve ever felt. When it comes to my physical works, I have a painting that I incorporated my two best friends and boyfriend into. This piece is dear to me not only because of the people featured but I really love the way I used the colors and the composition of the painting.

What is your ultimate art career goal?

I would love to be the creator of a yearly art and drag festival in Jacksonville! As of now, I am building a following and making connections to help lead me to my goals. One day, I hope my efforts are rewarded with putting Jacksonville on the drag and art map! Being apart of Rupaul’s Drag Race would also be a great experience and I would be honored if I have that chance!

Imagine you are a new addition to a crayon box, what color would you be and why?

If I were a new color in a crayon box, I would be a newly formulated crayon that starts out clear, but changes colors as its being used. I’m always changing in my thoughts, ideas, and my outlook so it’s hard to pick just one color to be. I can see myself as any color!

​Be sure to follow Rolando Kallead on Instagram at @roliho and learn more about his upcoming events and appearances as Moxie Mopp!

Kaitlin Edwards is a visual artist who has recently joined the Jacksonville art community. Kaitlin works in a variety of mediums from ink to digital art and concentrates her work on women of color who reflect her life experiences. In 2013, Edwards graduated from the Art Academy of Cincinnati and since has primarily worked as a freelance illustrator working on book covers and other forms of illustration work. Kaitlin looks forward to being an active artist in Jacksonville and learning more about Jacksonville's art community. For Kaitlin, it is important to bring forth images that positively and properly portray men and women of color.

When I saw Kaitlin's work, I immediately fell in love! Her art oozes #BlackGirlMagic and expertise all wrapped up in bold lines and mesmerizing colors. Kaitlin and I have been in contact several months before she moved to Jacksonville and in that time I learned how important a career as an artist is to her. I look forward to seeing Kaitlin make her mark in Jacksonville's art community and being another artist who serves our community through art and diversity.

When did you become interested in art?

I became interested in art as a lifestyle and career after discovering the Sailor Moon comic book. After a year or so of collecting Sailor Moon comic books, I started watching the TV show and was so inspired by the transformation sequences and fashion that it peaked my interest in high fashion. I began to learn more about high fashion through magazines and realized that there is a lack of good representation for women of color that look like me. I decided to make myself a part of the change and started to focus on how I can help to fill the lack of representation. I make art for people like myself who are hungry to see positive images of people of color.

How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it? What inspires your style?

My illustrations are of Afrocentric women in fantastical environments and sci-fi worlds. For each piece that I create, I carefully choose from a variety of mediums such as ink, oil paints, and digital art which each communicate different feelings. My digital work features saturated colors that create a prismatic mood. When I'm creating in ink I find ways to utilize the white space as creatively as possible. ​

What is your favorite artist tool and why?

My favorite medium and tool is Photoshop because I love the control that digital art offers. Digital art caters to my inner control freak, it takes away the need to wait on paint to dry and also enables the ability to start over many times without wasting material. I enjoy working with ink almost as much as I like Photoshop because it is the only medium that I allow "mistakes" in.​

What do you want your viewers to take away from your art?

I want my viewers to see my work and be reminded of simpler, more magical times in their lives. I would love for them to relive nostalgic moments like when they were standing on top of an imaginary thrown in last year’s Halloween costume! Overall, I want them to feel like they can be themselves and that they can create and do anything they want just as they felt before they were told they couldn’t. I want my viewers to feel inspired to branch out into different outlets in their lives and experience some mental escapism. ​

As a new artist in the Jacksonville art community, how do you plan to assert yourself and participate?

I plan on being active in Jacksonville's art scene by attending art events and learning through lectures. I am also looking forward to getting to know the local street art scene too.​

What is your ultimate art career goal?

My ultimate art goal is for creating to be my number one source of income. I also want to start a mentoring program that can help young girls achieve creative insight into their lives and use art as a means to break barriers within themselves.​

Imagine you are a new addition to a crayon box, what color would you be and why?

If I were a crayon I would be lilac with pearlescent flecks. I am an all or nothing type of person when it comes to my art so you would either use the color all the time or sparingly because that quality reflects my personality.

To view a larger body of Kaitlin Edwards' work and follow her journey as a new artist to the Jacksonville art community please follow her on Instagram @kaitlin_june

Amari Leath is an emerging photographer living in Jacksonville, FL. Leath often captures the city's people and architecture in his favorite color scheme of black and white but, his body of work features a versatile palette of colors and techniques. Among his artwork are images enhanced with vibrant, contrasting colors and complimenting additions. Since discovering his love for photography, Leath has immersed himself in the art community and found his own sense of style. Vigorous self study and unrelenting practice are credited as his building blocks to becoming a talented photographer. Leath feels compelled to change other young people's lives through education and mentoring which is one of Leath's biggest motivation to grow in his photography career.

Amari Leath is one of the most motivated, young artists that I have ever met. In a rather short period of time he has shown everyone he meets that photography is what he wants his life's work to reflect. Leath went from inquiring about how he can show his work to immediately taking part in Jacksonville's art community. I literally see him everywhere now! Being a fairly new photographer has not deterred him from showing his work or from being engaging. His willingness to ask for help and to continuously find materials and artists to study excites me because it is a clear indication of his objective. He wants to learn, he wants to grow, and he wants to be the best photographer he can be!​

What inspired you to pursue photography? When did you start and how?

Last summer, I had a cheap point and shoot camera and I put it into manual mode, that moment is what inspired me to learn more about photography. I noticed I could control the look of an image which peaked my interests. In an effort to learn more about photography, I started watching YouTube videos about photography and purchased my first "real" camera which was a Canon T6. Since that summer, I have been honing my skills, photographing all throughout Jacksonville, and participating in art events .

What are your favorite subjects to photograph? Why?

My favorite subjects to photograph are people in the streets. I like practicing street photography because you can show people how you truly view your environment. Your perception and way of shooting can show the streets where you live as rough and gritty, but, another photographer can shoot the same location and present it as beautiful, sunny, and perfect.

What is your ultimate career goal?

My ultimate career goal is to start my own after-school photography program. I would like to teach youth who may be interested in photography how to use a camera and how to apply for grants and scholarships. I would also like for the program to have a fully functional photo studio that can be used to practice their skills. Having a place to share your goals and hobbies with someone who shares the same passions can really make a difference in somebody’s life.

How does living in Jacksonville influence your photography?

Living in Jacksonville influences my photography by forcing me to look everywhere for something to shoot. Jacksonville is not like New York or L.A, there are no subways or crowded intersections, so you have to search to find something more interesting to photograph. Since I've started practicing photography, I've been on a constant hunt for places with strong composition. I have walked all over downtown Jacksonville from the sky train to the roofs of parking garages, and even the beach in search of the perfect spots. Sometimes you find them... sometimes you don’t.

As an emerging artist, what resources have helped you grow and learn how to navigate the “art world”?

The fantastic people of the art community that I have met and befriended have all really helped me navigate the “art world”. I have been given tons of advice and presented with many opportunities. I could have never done it by myself!

How do you educate yourself to take better images?

My process of nurturing my skills involves collecting tons of photography books. I collect a variety of books, read them, and study them from instructional books to photo essays. I’ll buy a giant book with photographs from multiple artists and I choose a photographer who really speaks to me. After I find the right photographer, I begin to research them, study their work, and absorb everything about that artist. Once I have have completed my studies of one artist, I choose another artist and repeat the process. Often when I’m out taking photos, I try to see through their eyes and put what I have learned into practice... How would Eli Reed shoot this scene? How would Gordon Parks edit this photo? How would Alex Webb go about this?

Photographers view and value colors in a different way so imagine you were a new addition to a crayon box, what color would you be and why?

If I were a crayon, I would be a magical, monotone crayon that only writes in black and white. I love monotone because it takes all the colors out and your subject is the main focus. Though the images are black and white there is essentially many different colors. Highlights, contrast, and shadows all add a different feeling to a photograph and that feeling can change dramatically if you add or subtract any one of them from the equation. For example, If you change the color of the ocean in a beach photograph from blue to red, it can go from being perceived as a calm day at the beach to a shark attack all because of slight changes you have made.

Learn more about Amari Leath and follow his photography journey by following him on Instagram @amarileath_photography . To view a body of his work and for inquiries please visit his website www.AmariLeath.com.

Perla Reyes is a Hispanic visual artist living and creating in Jacksonville, Fl. Her works are most often created in acrylic and oil paints to canvas but she is not afraid to venture into other mediums. Most recently she has shown her versatility by venturing into installation art.

If you ever see Perla's work, you won't easily forget it! Her art features vibrant colors and bold lines that create women that give off a confident and unfazed vibe. Often times her quirky clique of women are equipped with unforgiving "clapbacks" to unwanted advances that women face daily. Perla intentionally gives an ode to her own heritage that she proudly represents by making the women resemble women of her own culture and they often speak Spanish as well. Her way of bringing artistry and real life women issues together is simply amazing. Each time you see a piece of Perla's artwork you see her talent, comedy, and daily struggles brought together in bright hues making her work effortlessly appealing to all viewers.

I met Perla for the very first time at an Art Walk. Small, bright colored canvases with outlines of women sporting mischievous smirks were displayed at a table that made me cross the street for a closer look. At the table sat Perla and two of her friends who are also talented artists vending art and jewelry. Upon meeting the trio I knew I had to work with them in some way and asked for their contact information. That small interaction grew into Perla showcasing impressive, large scale versions of her characters alongside the works of her friends Gabriella Corley and Rolando Kallead at Black Opal. Since then, Perla has been in many showcases and her style and process has evolved. The way her art has evolved and with her eagerness to grow Perla will surely meet her goals and continue to impress us all! ​

How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it?

​I make beautiful and unique characters who tend to be carefree and simply do whatever they please. They enjoy their time being together and looking for fresh worm snacks straight from the ground! If you ever see them in your backyard, DON'T PANIC! It's just snack time!​

I don't really have names for each one of my characters, I just refer to them as my girls! My girls are inspired by my Hispanic heritage, being a woman, and anime! ​

What is your most important artist tool?

I'd say, my most important artist tool would be my creativity because if I didn't have it my characters would probably not exist! ​

What do you want your viewers to take away from your art?

I want my viewers to experience what it's like to be put into my characters' world! A world where things are a little bit twisted! ​

​What would you like to see happen in Jacksonville’s art community?

I would like to see Jacksonville's art community expand even more than it already has. The expansion of our art community would make more opportunities become available locally for upcoming artists. I want more people to see how much talent there is in Jacksonville!​

What is your ultimate art career goal?

My ultimate career goal is for my artwork be recognized all over the world. I would love for people to see my work and enjoy it as much as I do!

What’s the best of advice you have been given?

​The best advice ever given to me is to seize the moment and to never take things for granted.​

To connect with Perla Reyes, her GIRLS, and learn about her upcoming projects and exhibitions please follow her on Instagram @chinachiic

Paul Kellam is a visual artist from Jacksonville, Fl. He is best known for his Eastern world inspired characters and animation ready artworks. Most of Paul’s work is done digitally though he is skilled in several mediums. It is common to catch Paul with his sketchbook in his hands full of illustrations and ideas.

Paul believes he’s always known that he wanted to be an artist, recalling days of scribbling on wallpaper at the young age of 5 and trying to talk his way out of trouble. Though Paul says his exposure to art was limited as a child he has grown to be an impressive artist. He is continuing to hone his artistic skills and hopes to see Jacksonville’s art community spread and nurture under-served areas.

What do you believe is an artist’s role and responsibility?

I think all artist, regardless of genre, are responsible for visually narrating a concept. As artists I believe it is our duty to evoke a conversation among viewers. I find it incredible to see the power that a painting can have. An artist’s work can cause quite a bit of controversy if done effectively.

What inspires your style and characters?

I draw inspiration from so many different areas that it is hard to pinpoint where my inspiration come from. Much of my work is influenced by Eastern Cultures, fashion, lyrics of substance, forces of nature, animation, and unique personas.

What is your most important artist tool?

I would say my mind is my most valuable tool because it can make me or break me. If I can get into a good head-space I can create almost anything no matter what medium I am working with. I’m often told that I think too much, but it’s a part of my creative process. It's what make my art, MY art.

What do you want your viewers to take away from your art?

I always try to provide a sense of escapism for my viewers. I want my viewer’s distracted from the world's current turmoil. I would love for then to experience something quirky, happy, and even something a little mischievous. .

What would you like to see happen in Jacksonville’s art community?

I wasn’t exposed to a lot of art while growing up on the Northside of Jacksonville. Sadly, until recently I wasn’t even aware of the huge creative community in Jacksonville. I think it would be great to see the art community branch out to all the diverse communities that we have. Opportunities to experience art of all varieties in each part of town would greatly improve our communities. I look forward to seeing our art community continue to flourish and bloom more diverse works.

What is your ultimate art career goal ?

My ultimate goal is to become an established character designer for animations and video games. I would love to create the next “Avatar the Last Airbender” or “Assassin's Creed”. The chance to inspire the next generation of creators would be a phenomenal accomplishment.

Where’s your favorite place to see art?

I love to see grand murals randomly placed throughout the city, they’re like Easter eggs to me. I create most of my artwork digitally, so it's nice to look away from the screen and behold something much larger.

Jodie Smith is an author in Jacksonville, Fl. While writing is often seen as a task for others, writing has always been her passion and her therapy. A book of her collected thoughts and poetry titled "The Book of Real Shit" is how Jodie decided to introduce the world to her talents and inner self. Behind the cover of the raw titled book are the real emotions that not only Jodie has experienced but that many have endured in their black experience.

​I've known Jodie since high school and she has always had a commanding presence. The talent she shares in her book easily matches her spirit. In 2017, I had the pleasure of working with Jodie at Black Opal when she captured the ears and thoughts of many when she performed her cleverly titled poem Negus in Plastic from her book. Since that experience I have grown more interested in her work and seeing where her talents will take her. Allowing herself to literally be read in an open book is a gift to us all and allows us to realize that we do not experience the hardest parts of life alone. Her brave unveiling is the openness we should all strive to achieve. ​

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

When I was in elementary school I would enter poetry competitions and throughout the years I continued. I would always walk around with a composition book, writing my feelings and expressing my thoughts because I didn’t have the courage to do so verbally. With the pen I was always a master. While in college, I started to share my work with others and I recognized my talent by how moved I made others. I was effectively able to make people feel... and I loved that! I’ve always been a writer but I was going against the grain and going to school for numerous majors. Through God, it was confirmed that my passion was also my purpose and my profession. Writing has never been a hobby, it's either I write or I wilt. It is either I dream or I drown, so I’ve always been a writer for my sanity.

What inspired you to write the "Book Of Real Shit" ?

Depression inspired me to write "The Book of Real Shit". Often times we are sold a dream about life and we don’t know what to do when we encounter nightmares. I think going though depression allowed me to write some of my most riveting, thought provoking, and monumental pieces. Depression forced me to explore my mind, but most of all embrace my feelings. I know the things we go through are never for us, but for us to share our story so we can give hope and healing to others experiencing similarities. "The Book of Real Shit" is just that, it is the black voice, the black thought, and the black experience not only in America, but throughout the world.

What would you like the readers to take from your book?

I want readers to know that you can’t filter life, but you can feel it and that is not only normal, but also necessary. We have been told that life will be roses and that is not real. Sometimes we will plant the perfect seeds and still grow weeds. I want my readers to embrace their reality and speak their truth. I titled my book "The Book of Real Shit" because I was tired of life being sugar coated, poetry being pink, and people only offering their surface level. Get deep baby, embrace your depression, life, heartbreak and love, swim in it. We live in a generation that is afraid to be real because everyone glorifies fake. Be you and do it fiercely.

What is your favorite book besides your own?

My favorite book is "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston. I love everything about this book, reading it liberated my life.​

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

I find comfort in writing. Writing energizes me because once I'm inspired I feel like I’m on fire and I have to write! I stay up all night writing until I get all my thoughts out. What is sleep? Sometimes, I wake up to write because God is talking to me and I want to make sure I remember the words. I pray over my work to make sure the message is clear and that alone is good energy and good vibes. So, writing could never be exhausting for me unless I wasn’t living in my truth. Right now, writing is exhilarating. I have to write or I will drown. It is not a hobby, it is my help and my home.

Do you believe in writer’s block?

I don’t believe in writers block, I believe in being uninspired. Sometimes, I'm so inspired that I go on writing binges and write all day because I don’t want to lose that moment. I think it is important for me to write when my feelings are heightened, whether it is with love, lust, depression, or happiness. When I’m not inspired, I don’t write because I don’t ever want to speak anything other than truth. When you force it, it doesn’t flow, and I yearn to be water.​

What does literary success look like to you? What are your goals?

Literary success to me is my work being a mandatory requirement and a must read in various school systems. I want my work to be studied not for praise, but for the purpose of teaching people how to master this human experience. In the next two years, I see myself conducting lectures at various universities to discuss real life topics such as depression, positive thinking, relationships, God, and love. Through poetry I’m able to make light of dark subjects that need to publicly presented and I hope to have the platform to do so. I’m working on my next book which is titled "Nectar and Ambrosia: The Levels of Love". I plan to keep experiencing, so I can keep writing. I don’t only want to reflect the times, but I want to reflect life as a whole. The goal is to be more Godly and my being will flow and fit perfectly in the places that I’m destined to be.

Tatiana Kitchen is a visual artist from Jacksonville, Fl. Also know by the artist moniker Phoenix, Tatiana’s works feature a vibrant palette of colors, shapes, and whimsical beings. She is talented in a variety of mediums including acrylic and digital work but her primary medium is watercolor. With a lifelong interest in art and dedication to her craft she has grown immensely over the years.

I met Tatiana several years ago at a co-op space for artists and artisans. Considering we didn’t exchange many words that day, there was no way to know we would grow to know each other so well. Her work has always been vivid and captivating but she continues to evolve her style and skill every year. It has been such a pleasure to watch her grow as an artist and friend.

​Tatiana has work that is currently displayed at Jax Makerspace and along The Landing’s mural walls. You can also witness Tatiana painting live on April 19th at Art Battle.

​Have you always been interested in art? When did you know you wanted to be an artist?

Yes, I have been drawing for as long as I can remember. I think I figured out that I wanted to be an artist as young as the age of 4.

​How do you know when a piece is finished?

​​I would say my pieces are never really finished when I stop working on them. I often get distracted by another piece or idea and begin my next project. It's very rare that I start a new piece with a specific idea in mind. On the rare occasions that I do have a specific direction, I work until I feel like my idea has been represented completely.

​What is your most important artist tool?

My most important artist tool is my imagination! It is free, completely unique, and it never runs out.

​What do you want your viewers to take away from your art?

I want my art to take viewers on a trip. I want them to feel like they have visited other worlds and new dimensions. My objective is to give the viewers a window into my mind's eye. I want them to see the things I think and dream about and also see how beautiful and limitless one's mind can be.

​Jacksonville's art community has grown so much in the last few years. What else would you like to see happen in Jacksonville's art community?

I would like to see a wider variety of artist opportunities in Jacksonville. I'm use to seeing and hearing about the same circle of artists for murals and exhibitions. It would be great if information about mural and exhibition opportunities was more readily available to all artists. More availability to artist opportunities gives the city the opportunity to see new artists and different styles of work. Jacksonville has a large community of talented artists who are not being represented. I would love to see more variety and talents.​

​What is your ultimate art career goal?

My ultimate goal is to have my own gallery space that gives back to the black community, both financially and creatively. In my gallery space I would like to host art showcases and youth art classes. I would also love to offer studio space for fellow artists to create in.​

​​Describe your art in 5 words.

The five words that best describe my art are free, trippy, esoteric, electric, and new.​

​To connect with Tatiana Kitchen and view a larger body of her work like and follow her on Instagram @phoenixaaart .

I met Steven Westbrook Adams at "Ah La Life" in February curated by Khalil Osborne.​ In a room full of art and onlookers his photography managed to stand out amongst the crowd. That night, he was featuring only black and white photography which made his work even more intriguing. I knew from looking at his work that he was someone that I'd love to meet and to watch grow artistically.

​Later, I learned that the "Ah La Life" exhibition was his very first show and his first time going through all the motions that artist go through in preparation for a show! As a young and emerging photographer, he has already established a great portfolio featuring soft yet strong images. With goals to display his work in other exhibitions and a hunger to grow, Adams is sure to reach impressive heights.

Tell me a little about yourself, your childhood, and how you started in the craft of photography?

During my childhood there was a lot of moving! However, I am a Jacksonville native. I moved to Detroit, Michigan while in elementary school and returned to Jacksonville during high school. While in high school, I began my journey to becoming a photographer, but, in my junior year for Christmas I received a point and shoot digital camera and it pretty much intensified from there.​

What type of photography do you do and where do you get the inspiration for your work?

I primarily do portraiture because it's what I'm most uncomfortable with but I'm still able to be confident in the results I produce, if that makes any sense. I'm very introverted so there's nothing that would come more natural to me than to just take my camera and only take still-lifes. In doing that, I can actually be comfortable in my own world for the rest of my life and, in fact, that's how I started. Unfortunately, nothing grows in the comfort zone. After a long hiatus, in 2015, I picked up the camera again and dove head first into portraiture. Now, I'm forced to communicate my visions and ideas to people, often times asking them to also step out of their own comfort zones in the process. I've learned that I actually love the collaborative nature of portraiture and dealing with people and their various intricacies. That is what I love about other people and one of my main inspirations.​

Among your works, which one is your favorite? Why? ​

I'm not sure if I can even pick out a favorite shoot, let alone a favorite picture! Every shoot is different and they all have taught me different things. I don't quantify the quality of my own work so I couldn't make a top 5 if I tried! The ones I like, I like equally and the ones I dislike, I dislike equally. Maybe I haven't accumulated a big enough volume of work to start having those kinds of opinions. The only photographs that truly stand out to me are the ones I took when I wasn't trying to be a "photographer". The photographs I took when I just wanted to save the moment, while I was in it, are the ones I cherish the most, and I'd rather not share those.

What is your proudest moment so far?

A couple of weeks ago the "Ah La Life" exhibit curated by Khalil Osborne was basically my first show and that felt pretty rewarding. It was my first time going through the process of printing, matting, and framing my work with the intent of displaying it. I'm grateful Khalil told me more than a month in advance because it definitely took all of that time! The series that I choose for display was in and of itself a first experience. It was my first time doing an ensemble shoot and my first time using studio lighting. Most of the pieces on display actually sold, which was another first for me! It felt good to know that I'm capable of producing work people can connect with despite wandering repeatedly into strange territory. Like I said, comfort zones, you've got to get out of them!

Do you have any advice for someone in high school who is studying photography?

Haha! I'm not entirely sure I'm at the point where I qualify to give solid advice. There are definitely things I know I need to learn and mistakes that I still make that I have to weed out. Honestly, that's probably the advice. Learn self-honesty, how you work best, and be honest about what you need to work on. There's literally always something you can do to improve. You're never as good as you think you are, but, the upside is that you never suck as much as you think you do either. ​

Does where you live influence your photography? How?

I'm not entirely sure. Jacksonville is a huge city. But, considering the work I do, the landscape doesn't play a huge role in my process like it would a street or landscape photographer. Even still, I can't take away from Jacksonville the hidden gems I've found as being wonderful settings in which to shoot. I'm a voyeur at heart so I always have my eyes peeled for settings that I feel speak to me.​

What is one question nobody has ever asked you—that you wish they asked you?

​Haha! Well, there aren't too many questions I haven't been asked. However, genuine questions about why I am the way I am, always mean a lot to me. So I'd like to answer more questions like that.

To connect with Steven Westbrook Adams check out his Instagram page @swestaxo​ and his websiteswesta.com